Suffolk: Visit of Prince Harry to the Suffolk Show will be a major boost, says director

One of the county’s most anticipated annual events, the Suffolk Show, received a major boost yesterday as it was revealed Prince Harry will be attending the agricultural showpiece.

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Suffolk Show 2013.

Described as a “good barometer of the county’s economy”, about 90,000 people are expected to walk through the gates of Ipswich’s Trinity Park next week for the two-day extravaganza.

Confirmation yesterday from Clarence House that the Prince, who was based at Wattisham Airfield during his Apache helicopter pilot training, will be attending the second day of the show was welcomed by organisers.

Show director Bill Baker said: “The presence of a member of the Royal Family is a wonderful boost for all those who support the show – exhibitors, tradestand holders, sponsors – and of course our own team of staff and volunteer stewards.

“The Prince enjoys a strong public following and his visit is especially appreciated in a year when we are working to appeal to more young people at the show and presenting the kinds of careers available to them in the food and farming related industries.”

This year it is expected that there will be about 1,200 companies and organisations at the show selling a range of products and services to the public.

Chris Bushby, executive director of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, the show’s organisers, added: “The show is a way of telling people about their county and we want to use it in a progressive way to get young people to think about their career path and the opportunities that exist in the region.”

The Prince’s appearance at the show will cap off a whirlwind visit of the Ipswich area.

This will include a trip to visit officials at Inspire Suffolk, formerly the ITFC Charitable Trust. He will be visiting the charity’s new premises at the former Holywells High School site in Lindbergh Road.

Inspire Suffolk CEO Terry Baxter said: “I am both delighted and honoured to learn that HRH Prince Harry will visit our new home later this month, to witness elements of the valuable work we undertake with Suffolk’s young people.

“Although we have operated as a charity in the county for more than 10 years, we are just six months on from a rebrand and relocation of our base.

“I have no doubt that the visit by His Royal Highness will provide further motivation for everyone involved with our charity to continue to use sport to motivate, engage, educate and inspire Suffolk’s young people who are in need.”

Dramatic increases in the average age of people in Suffolk have been highlighted in a report which reveals that in some areas nearly one in 10 are expected to be aged 85 or over in the next two decades.